This week is National Respiratory Care Week, so I began to look for ways to improve lung health and function.

At the top of the list would be to stop smoking if you are a smoker. But it's also important to avoid secondhand smoke if at all possible.

We are blessed in this area to enjoy clean air. In larger cities, smog is a source of lung problems. But we need to be aware of other environmental hazards. Household cleaners may contain chemicals that pose a threat. Read the labels and take appropriate precautions such as ensuring proper ventilation and/or wearing a mask. Be alert to other sources of harmful fumes as well.

Developing a healthy lifestyle that includes exercise will also help maintain and improve lung function. Small changes such as parking farther away and walking a few extra steps to the store or making it a point to walk briskly for a few minutes at a time several times a day can help. Working your abdominal area by doing exercises such as sit ups and crunches will strengthen the muscles that help you breathe in and out.

It is also good for your lungs to spend a little time breathing deeply, filling them from the bottom up.

According to most of the information I found, making a few small changes can make a big difference in your lung health.

Sharon Miller is the coordinator of the Schliemann Center for Women's Health Education at Baxter Regional Medical Center and a former award-winning reporter forThe Bulletin.